Description

It's 1884 and the population of Skye is already greatly depleted by the Highland Clearances, and likely to suffer more from absent landlords and their greedy factors.

Alasdair Stewart finds himself caught up in the rebellious activities of the menfolk, as they fight to keep their homes and their traditional way of life. But all actions have consequences as Alasdair finds out to his cost.

Why is it that all their plans seem to be known to the authorities? Is there a traitor among the rebels? Doesn't the landlord want peace and prosperity for the land?

Hidden for days in the wildest and most remote part of the island it looks like there is no hope for the people of Skye, until the landlord's proud and spirited daughter chances upon their hideaway, with near fatal results …

Reviews

'A beautiful, memorable stirring book.'
-- Times Literary Supplement

'The story piles up into a rhythm of epic excitement.'
-- The Scotsman

'Floris Books' campaign to bring back into print grand books from Scottish writers continues with Allan Campbell McLean's Ribbon of Fire. This is a superb thriller/adventure story set in the past … the shameful injustices of the Clearances the struggle to defend family, livelihood and a whole way of life are the reasons for the action.'
-- School Librarian, Spring 2003

'A paperback edition of a fast-paced novel, aimed at younger reader and set in Skye in the 1880s.'
-- The Scots Magazine, June 2003

'This is a very exciting, thought-provoking story with moments of real suspense, particularly Alasdair's escape from a deep hole in the hillside by way of an underground tunnel.'
-- Treasure Islands: A guide to Scottish fiction for young readers aged 10-14, Summer 2003

Author

Allan Campbell McLean was born in 1922. After World War Two he wrote about his experiences of war in his novel The Glass House, and then turned his attention wholly to writing. He is the author of the children’s books The Hill of the Red Fox, Master of Morgana, The Year of the Stranger, Storm over Skye and A Sound of Trumpets.